Tiger Basketball Official Playing Rules 1. Official Rule Book Safety First: The referees may blow the whistle and stop the game to investigate the condition of a player who might be injured at any time. and resume play as soon as reasonable. The safety and well being of our players is always our main concern. 2. Length of Playing Periods There will be five (5) eight-minute periods for all divisions. Every period will be a running clock, only stopping on: Time-outs All shooting fouls (once the referee indicates a shooting foul) 3. The Clock When the referee stops the clock The clock will be a running clock. It will be stopped during the last two (2) minutes of the game, if there is a point difference less than 10 points during all dead ball situations for all divisions. If the point difference is 10 points or more, the clock will remain running until the point difference arrives at less than 10 points. The clock is not affected by the mercy rule. 4. Half Time The 1st and 2nd periods will constitute the 1st half. The 3rd, 4th, and 5th periods will constitute the 2nd half. Half time will be three (3) minutes in duration. 5. Overtime period Overtime periods will consist of two (2) minutes. The first minute will be a running clock. The clock will stop during the last minute (regulation clock during the last minute). Note: If teams begin a 3rd overtime period, the clock will be set a one (1) minute. The clock will be a regulation clock.
6. Time-outs Each team will be allowed two (2) time-outs in each half. The time-outs must be taken in their respective halves or they will be lost (no accumulations). One (1) additional time-out will be granted to each team for each overtime period. 7. Player participation Each player must play one full continuous period in the first half and one full continuous period in the second half. Every players must also sit out one full continuous period before the start of the 5th period, so as not to play the entire game. All team and player participation must be fulfilled by the end of the fourth period. The only exceptions are in case of injury or health problem, and the 11 player rule. If a player arrives late to a game, that player participation begins at the start of the next full period. Example: If player arrives shortly before half time, he is eligible to play at the start of the 3rd period. The player does not have to sit one full continuous period, as he has sat out already. Sickness-If a player is sick or unable to continue during a game, the coach of the player must enter in the scorebook, the players name, time, and the period. The player will be ineligible to re-enter the game. Discipline-If a player misses consecutive practices without an excuse the player is still entitled to play two full periods. The coach may choose not to play the player in the 5th period. Injury-If a player is injured and moved during a game, the player will be eligible to re-enter per the discretion of the coach and game referee. If a player receives an injury the bleeds, then the player will be removed from the game until the bleeding had stopped and the wound bandaged. The partial period of play will constitute one full period for the injured player. The player participation rule must be strictly enforced - the substituting player must sit out one full continuous period. 11 player rule-teams with 11 players present must play one player the entire 5th period. 10. Must sit rule Every player must sit out at least one (1) full continuous period by the end of the fourth period. Exception: When a team only has 5 or 6 players.
11. Free-Throw Bonus rule The teams will shoot the one and one bonus: 1st half on the 10th team foul 2nd half on the 10th team foul For Division 2 and 3, a maximum of six players may be on the free-throw lane, excluding the shooter. 12. Mercy Rule If a team has a 25 point lead at any time during the game, the mercy rule will go into effect. The team will not be allowed to employ a full-court press or a ½ court press. A soft man-to-man or zone defense (in the key area only) will be used. The clock is not affected by the mercy rule. In the fifth period only, and with a 25 point lead, the coach of the team that is ahead, must remove his top players from the game until the point difference is 15 points. Note: The opposing coach will select a maximum of three (3) players to sit out at the next dead ball period during a 25 point lead in the fifth period only. Penalty: 1st offense a warning from the referees, 2nd offense a technical foul to the bench will be assessed. Ball sizes by Division Division 1 COED 6,7,8-29.5 Division 2 COED 4,5-29.5 Division 3 COED 2,3-28.5 Division 4 COED K-1-27.5 Division 5 Girls 3,4,5-28.5 Division 6 Girls 6,7,8-28.5
Division 1 (COED) & Division 6 (girls only 6,7&8 gr.) Defenses: Teams must play man-to-man defense in the entire 1st half. Teams may play either man-to-man or zone defense in the 2nd half. Man-to-man Defense: The defensive player defending the ball must be within six (6) feet guarding position. A defensive team may double-team a player who has the ball. Referees will give one warning per half to each team, further infractions will result in a technical foul. Press Teams may employ a full-court press at any time during the game. During the first half, the teams must play man-to-man full court press if they decide to press. Three (3) second violation An offensive player may not be in the key for 3 seconds or more. This will be a violation against the offending team.
Division 2 (COED) 4th & 5th gr. Defenses: Any ½ court defense may be played during the first four (4) periods. (Man or zone defenses are allowed) Press: Teams may full-court press only during the fifth (5) period and overtime periods. Any press is allowed. Free-throws: The free throw line will be at 12 feet. Five (5) second violation: An offensive player may not be in the key (paint) for 5 seconds or more. This will be a violation against the offending team.
Div. 3 (COED)2nd & 3rd gr. Basket Height: The basketball hoop will be set at 9 foot Defense: Teams may play zone or man-to-man defense at any time during the game. There are no limitations. Zone defense is highly recommended. Press: All players must stay inside the 3 point line at all times. Each team must have a foot in the paint until the ball breaks half court. Both feet must be inside the 3 point line. Full-court press: No full court pressure except during the last two (2) minutes of the fifth (5) period. Penalty: Only one warning per half will be given to the teams for any illegal back-court or front-court pressure. If unintentional defense occurs in the backcourt, the referees will award the ball to the offense at the point of contact with no warning to the defense. This is a judgement call from the referees. Foot in the paint: Each defensive player must put at least one foot in the paint and stay in the key area until the ball crosses the half court line. Once a team had secured the rebound and are advancing on a fast break, the defending team cannot play defense until they put one foot in the paint. Defense must keep both feet inside the 3 point line, and stay inside the 3 point line. 1st pass/back-court rule: After the defensive team secures the rebound, the first pass must be in the backcourt. If the pass hits a retreating defensive player, that defensive player cannot play the ball. The ball goes out of bounds to the offensive team. On a turnover, a fast break is allowed, and the defense can run alongside the player with the ball, but cannot go for the ball until the offense reaches the key area. Note: This rule does not apply during the last two minutes of the 5th period. The offensive team has five seconds after crossing half court to penetrate the hash mark of 28 mark and start their offense. If they do not, referees will warn the offensive team for insufficient action. After a warning, a technical foul will be charged to the offending team. Five (5) second violation; An offensive player may not be in the key (paint) for five seconds or more. THis will be a violation against the offending team.
Division 4 (COED) K-1st grade(some 2nd grade girls) Basket height: The basketball hoop will be set at 8 feet. Possession: The game will begin with a jump ball. The possession arrow at the score table thereafter decides possession. Coaches are allowed on the floor during the game to help the children learn the game of basketball. Remember this division is designed to teach these young children how to play basketball. The purpose of the game is not to win, but to teach. Defense: Must have both feet inside the key (free throw line). The free throw lane is the width of the key and extends from the baseline up to the black volleyball line that is used as the free throw line. Defensive players may not extend their arms outside the key...keep hands up, not out swatting at the ball. There are no fast breaks. The ball must be passed once in the backcourt. Offense must not be in the key until after a shot is taken. Player participation: As in all other divisions, there is no free substitution during the first four periods. Only during the fifth period can a player be substituted, except for injury or illness. Free Throws: Each player will shoot at least one free throw prior to the start of the game. Each successful free throw will be recorded in the scorebook and count in the team's overall score. Coaches will administer the free throws. Both teams will shoot the free throws at the same time, but at different baskets. If the teams are unbalanced in numbers a player who missed will be allowed to shoot an extra shot to balance the team attempts. A shooter may touch the line, but not cross completely over the line. The free-throw line will be at the 10 foot line. Div. 5 (girls 3,4,&5th)
Defense: Teams may play zone or man-to-man defense at any time during the game. There are no limitations. Zone defense is highly recommended. Press: All players must stay inside the 3 point line at all times. Each team must have a foot in the paint until the ball breaks half court. Both feet must be inside the 3 point line. Full-court press: No full court pressure except during the last two (2) minutes of the fifth (5) period. Penalty: Only one warning per half will be given to the teams for any illegal back-court or front-court pressure. If unintentional defense occurs in the backcourt, the referees will award the ball to the offense at the point of contact with no warning to the defense. This is a judgement call from the referees. Foot in the paint: Each defensive player must put at least one foot in the paint and stay in the key area until the ball crosses the half court line. Once a team had secured the rebound and are advancing on a fast break, the defending team cannot play defense until they put one foot in the paint. Defense must keep both feet inside the 3 point line, and stay inside the 3 point line. 1st pass/back-court rule: After the defensive team secures the rebound, the first pass must be in the backcourt. If the pass hits a retreating defensive player, that defensive player cannot play the ball. The ball goes out of bounds to the offensive team. On a turnover, a fast break is allowed, and the defense can run alongside the player with the ball, but cannot go for the ball until the offense reaches the key area. Note: This rule does not apply during the last two minutes of the 5th period. The offensive team has five seconds after crossing half court to penetrate the hash mark of 28 mark and start their offense. If they do not, referees will warn the offensive team for insufficient action. After a warning, a technical foul will be charged to the offending team. Five (5) second violation; An offensive player may not be in the key (paint) for five seconds or more. This will be a violation against the offending team.